# NTSB SEA83FA058: Cessna 140, N89050, Moses Lake, WA, March 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1983, 17:40 local (Mar 3, 1983, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 47.19046, -119.299888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1905&lon=-119.2999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA058

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT THE PILOTS PRIVATE FARM STRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED AND DIED'. DURING A POWER OFF LANDING ATTEMPT THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE CONTROLS ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID HE FOUGHT FOR CONTROL OF THE ACFT UNTIL HE BROKE HIS CONTROL WHEEL BUT COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE TERRAIN AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS IDEAL FOR A LANDING AREA. THE FIELD WAS FLAT DRY AND HARD. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE ENGINE STOPPAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89050](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89050-2019-04-15), registration cancelled 2019-04-15, S/N 8054, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8054
- Airframe hours: 1654
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven R. Schmidt
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1980, 54 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 974 total, 300 in this make and model, 974 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWH, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830302007039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830302007039A), Mar 2, 1983: Cessna 140, Moses Lake, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit at 300 feet. Passenger froze on dual controls. Aircraft stalled and dived into ground. Believe carb ice.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.